Silencer for small arms



May 28, 1968 KARL-HEINZ WALTHER ETAL 3,385,164

' SILENCER FOR SMALL ARMS Filed May s, 196e 26 19C 19h 19a 23 21 15 20 n,2

/N VE N TOR:

ffy/2d F @QM 3,385,164 SILENCER FOR SMLL ARMS Karl-Heinz Walther, Ulm(Danube), and Siegfried F. Hhner, Stuttgart-Heumaden, Germany, assignorsto Carl Walther, Ulm (Danube), Germany Filed May 6, 1966, Ser. No.548,203 Ciaims priority, application Germany, May 14, 1965, W 39,154 8Claims. (Cl. SSL-14) ABSTRACT F THE DSCLOSURE A firearms silencercomprising a tubular casing with a plurality of partition means thereinlto define a number of chambers with a passage therethrough for theprojectile and a tube connecting the apertures of the partitions formingthe second chamber from the muzzle end of the casing for the passage ofthe projectile. There are openings in the partition between the rst andsecond chambers with the openings tapering inwardly toward the secondchamber.

The present invention relates to a small arms silencer of the typecomprising a tubular casing which can be detachably mounted on themuzzle of the Weapon, more particularly, to such a silencer having aplurality of chambers therein with the second chamber from the muzzleend of the silencer having a tube for the passage of the projectile-therethrough and tapered openings in the partition between the firstand second -chambers to admit discharged gases into the second chamber.

Numerous forms of construction have been incorporated in silencers forsmall arms in an attempt to achieve effective silencing of the reportwhen the firearm is discharged. One form of silencer includes a tubularsleeve as a large chamber with the end of the sleeve mounted on themuzzle and a plurality of smaller chambers in the other or front end ofthe sleeve. While this particular silencer structure produces somesilencing of the report, the report is still audible to such an extentthat this type of silencer cannot be considered to be successful.Another form of silencer includes a number of conical partitions whichdivide the interior ofthe silencer sleeve into individual chambers withthese chambers being surrounded by a large annular chamber. Here again,a certain attenuation of the report from the muzzle of the firearm isachieved, but the performance is not satisfactory.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to providea novel and improved silencer for small arms.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a silencerwhich can be detachably mounted on the muzzle of a firearm and whicheffectively silences the discharge report from the muzzle.

The objects of the present invention are attained by the silencerdisclosed herein which essentially comprises a tubular casing havingpartitions therein to divide the casing into three or more chambers. Theend walls and partitions of the cas-ing have aligned apertures therein`for the passage of the projectile through the silencer. Connecting theapertures in the partitions defining the second chamber from the muzzleend of the silencer is a tubular member. Tapered openings are providedin the partition between the first and second chambers for the passageof the discharge gases into the second chamber. These openings aretapered inwardly in the direction from the first to the second chambers.

In the .third chamber from the muzzle end of the silencer there areprovided a number of conical partitions nited States Patent ice todivide this chamber into smaller individual chambers. The apices ofthese conical partitions are directed toward the muzzle end of thesilencer and are provided with apertures for the passage of theprojectile therethrough. One or both of the conical surfaces may beprovided with a series of annular shoulders in yorder to achieve a morefavorable dispersion of the sound Waves.

When the firearm to which the silencer is fitted is discharged, thefirst chamber within the casing is initially filled by the dischargegases which have propelled the projectile from the muzzle of thefirearm. The gases expand within the first chamber to the extentpermitted by the volume of this chamber. As the projectile passesthrough the tube within the second chamber, the gases within the firstchamber expand through the tapered openings into the second chamber.Only after the projectile has passed through the tubular member in thesecond chamber and is in the third or successive chambers can .thedischarge gases from the `first chamber enter into the third andsuccessive chambers for expansion. Further, these gases enter the thirdand successive chambers only through the tubular member. Because of thetapered openings in the partition between the first and second chambers4the discharge gases from .the second chamber can fiow back into thefirst chamber only after a large portion of the movement and energy ofthe gases has been dissipated. These gases with much of their energybeing absorbed, can then fiow through the tubular member to follow lthepath of the projectile. The second chamber thus acts as an absorbingchamber for a part of the discharge gases. The magnitude of the energywhich is absorbed depends largely upon the quantity and pressure of thedischarged gases within the silencer.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be app-arentfrom the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, wherein;

FIGURE l is a longitudinal sectional view of the silencer according tothe present invention showing schematicaily the silencer structure;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the silencer of FIGURE1 constructed in accordance with the present invention, and showingconstruction details;

FIGURE 3 is ya plan view of the partition member between the first andsecond chambers of the silencer of FIG-URE l; and

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional View of an insert which can beplaced in the third chamber of the silencer according to the presentinvention for further dividing this chamber into sub-chambers.

Referring now to the drawings ywherein like reference symbols indicatethe same parts throughout the various views, a specific embodiment ofthe present invention will bedescribed in detail. With particularreference to FIG- URE l, the silencer of the present invention isgenerally ind-icated at l() and comprises a tubular sleeve or casingl1l, having a rear wall 12, with an aperture i13 therein which isadapted for being mounted upon the muzzle of -a barrel 14 of a firearm.

Within the casing there is a partition l5 which, with end wall 12,defines a first chamber i6, with this chamber directly communicatingwith the muzzle of the firearm. On the other side of the partition 15 isa second chamber 17 which is further limited by an addiional partition18. On the other side of the partition i8 is a third chamber 19.

The partition iS which is between the first and second chambers, has aplurality of openings 2G therein which taper inwardly in the directionfrom the first to the second chambers.

The entire length of the second chamber 17 is spanned by a tube 21which, as can be seen in FIGURE 1, extends between partitions 15 and 18.The tube 21 provides a pas- 3 sage for the projectile and is the solepassage for gases from the first to the third chambers of the silencer.

The front or third chamber 19 is further sub-divided by a number ofconical partitions 22 into sub'chambers 19a, 19h, and 19e. The apices ofthe conical partitions 22 are apertured and are directed toward themuzzle end of the silencer and are provided with short tubular sections23 extending in the direction of the casing rear Wall. These tubularsections 23 are for the passage of the projectile and the dischargegases.

The third chamber 19 is closed by the front end wall 24 in which thereis an opening 25 for the exit of the projectile and the discharge gases.A tube 26 having outwardly flaring ends is insertde into the exitopening Z5.

The openings 2t) in the partition 15 between the first and second casingchambers are preferably arranged at an angle With respect to the centrallongitudinal axis of the casing along which the projectile travels. Byso inclining the tapered openings 20, the gases entering the secondchamber from the first chamber are induced into a state of rotarymovement so as to obtain a further turbulence which in turn aids in thedissipation or destruction of the energy within the discharged gases.

One form of the openings, but not necessarily the only one, isillustrated in FIGURE 3. The openings in the partition of FIGURE 3consist of radially extending slots 31 in a plate 32 which are inclinedwith respect to the central axis of the plate 32. The tubular memberpassing through the second chamber is indicated in FIGURE 3 as 21. Itwill be apparent that the inclination of the slots 31 is obtained by thewalls of each slot being inclined at different angles. Thus, the gasesfiowing through the slots 31 into the second chamber 17 have a certaindegree of rotation imparted to them by the slots 31.

The silencer as illustrated and described above in FIG- URE l is largelyschematic. The fabrication of such a silencer according to the presentinvention is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 2. Such a silencer can befabricated with an outer tubular casing 41 into the rear end of which adisc 42 having a substantial thickness is inserted as a seal- The rearwall 42 thus formed has a threaded opening 43 therethrough to enable thesilencer to be screwed onto threads 44 on the front end of a barrel 45of a firearm.

The second chamber 48 of the silencer is formed by a tubular insert 46which comprises a tube 49 having a disc 50 affixed to one end thereofand a second disc 51 positioned over the other end of the tube. The disc51 is positioned against one end of a reinforcing sleeve 54 and thusdefines the first chamber 47.

The disc 51 comprises a plurality of slots 52 such as illustrated inFIGURE 3.

The disc 50 is held in position by a reinforcing seam 53 formed in thewall of the tubular casing 41. Thus, the entire second chamber as formedby the discs 50, 51 and tube 49 is positioned by the reinforcing sleeve54 and the seam 53.

yIn front of the disc 56 there is defined a third chamber S of thesilencer. A plurality of identical inserts 56 are positioned into thischamber from the front of the sleeve 41 with the rear-most insertpositioned against a reinforcing seam 57 in the sleeve `41. -Each insert56 comprises a short tubular section 58 positioned against the innersurface of the tubular sleeve 41. At the end of each tubular section 5Sdirected toward the muzzle 45 there is attached a conical wall section59 with its apertured apex directed to the muzzle 45. The conical wallhas a plurality of annular shoulders formed therein. Each apex apertureof the conical portion 59 is provided with a short tubular section 60Which is aligned with the tubular member 49 of the second chamber toprovide a passage for the projectile.

As may be seen in FIGURE 2, the inserts 56 are axially fixed in positionsince their tubular portions 5S abut against each other.

The leading insert S6 is held in position by a front disc or plate 61which is inserted into the front end of the i tubular casing 41. Thefront plate 61 has a central opening 62 with its ends outwardly flaring.The rear fiared end has a plurality of annular shoulders therein asindicated at 63.

As can be seen from FIGURE 2 the inserts 56 may be readily punched andstamped from thin walled material. However, it is also possible tofabricate an insert from a block of material by turning such as shown at71 in FIGURE 4.

Insert 71 which is structurally the same as the insert 56 in FIGURE 2,has a conical wall 73 with its inner face 72 being graduated insuccessive steps formed by turning a plurality of annular shoulders. lthas been found that this step construction on the conical surfaceprovides greatly improved refraction of the sound Waves and materiallyassists in breaking down and dissipating the gases before they arefinally discharged into the atmosphere.

'f he exterior surface 74 of the conical wall 73 may be smooth asillustrated or may also have a plurality of annular shoulders similar tothose at 72.

These inserts such as 56 and 71 can also be fabricated of a conicallyWound spring Wire material.

Under certain conditions, particularly if the silencer is to be employedwith automatic Weapons, it is advantageous to incorporate pressureequalization holes in the sleeve of the silencer and particularly in thezone of the first chamber. The gases escaping through these pressureequalization holes do not intensify the sound of the muzzle reportbecause of the large quantity of gases retained within the silencer dueto the rapid succession of shots.

It is therefore apparent that the silencer of the present inventioneffectively reduces the sound of the muzzle report since the majorportion of the discharged gases emitted from lthe muzzle of the gunenter the second chamber of the silencer. The energy of these gases islargely dissipated within this chamber because of the turbulenceimparted to these gases by the inclined openings in the partitionbetween the first and second chambers. Only after the projectile haspassed through the tu'bular member within the second chamber can thedischarged gases escape through this tubular member and the thirdchamber to the atmosphere. However, by this ytime the energy of thedischarged gases has been largely dissipated and effective silencing ofthe muzzle report has occurred. Thus, by providing a tubular member forthe passage of the projectile from the second chamber, the projectilewithin this tubular member blocks the discharge of the gases and forcesa major portion of the discharge gases to be diverted to the secondchamber through the tapered partition openings for dissipation ofenergy.

The silencer according to the present invention not only is effective inoperation but simple in construction and can 'be readily fabricated byordinary manufacturing processes.

It will be understood that this invention is subject to modification inorder to adapt i-t to different uses and conditions and accordingly, itis desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as mayfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A silencer for the muzzle end of a firearm, comprising a tubularcasing with front and rear ends and having an apertured end wall at itsrear end adapted for vbeing mounted on the muzzle of a firearm, thefront end of said tubular casing having an apertured end wall with anopening therein for the exit of the projectile and discharged gases,apertured partition means Within said tubular casing and havingapertures for the passage of the projectile therethrough for dividingthe interior of said tubular casing into at least three chambers, a tubespaced from the inner face of said casing connecting the apertures ofthe partition means forming the second chamber from the rear end of thecasing to define a passage for the projectile, the partition meansbetween the first and second chambers from the rear end of the casinghaving openings therein for the passage of the discharged gases, saidopen ings being between the inner face of said casing and saidconnecting tube with each opening tapering inwardly from said first tosaid second chambers.

2. A silencer as claimed in claim 1, and further cornprising a pluralityof conical partitions with apertures at the apices thereof for thepassage of the projectile disposed in the casing chambers of other thansaid first and second chambers.

3. A silencer as claimed in claim 2 wherein the apices of said conicalpartitions are directed toward the rear end of said casing, and tubularmembers extending from said conical partition apertures toward saidcasing rear end for the passage of the projectile therethrough.

4. A silencer as claimed in claim 2 wherein the apices of said conicalpartitions are directed toward the rear end of said casing, and aplurality of annular shoulders on the conical partition surfacesdirected toward the front end `of the casing.

5. A silencer as claimed in claim 4 and furthe-r comprising annularshoulders on the conical partition surfaces directed toward the rear endof the casing.

6. A silencer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said openings in saidparti-tion means between said first and second chambers are at angles tothe apertures for the passage of the projectile to impart a rotarymovement to the discharged gases entering the second chamber from thesaid first chamber.

7. A silencer' as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a tubularmember having outwardly flaring ends in the aperture of said casingfront end wall.

8. A silencer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner surface of theflared end of said tubular member directed to the casing rear end has aplurality of annular shoulders thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,017,003 2/1912 Kenney 89-14 X1,111,202 9/1914 Westfall 89-14 1,401,667 12/1921 Brown 89-14 X1,874,326 8/1932 Mason. 2,098,617 11/1937 Cutts. 2,212,685 8/1940 Hughes89-14 2,348,114 5/1944 DOW 89-14 2,499,428 3/1950 Tiffany 89-142,872,848 2/ 1959 Schuessler 89-14 2,985,074 5/1961 Musser 89-14 FOREIGNPATENTS 825,016 2/1938 France.

30,240 1909 Great Britain.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

S. C. BENTLEY, Assistant Examiner.

